Potassium (K+) is an important ion in the body. K+ is found mainly intracellularly (inside the cells) whereas sodium (Na+) is found extracellularly (outside the cells).
Serum Potassium: 3.5mmol/L – 5.0mmol/L
Serum Sodium:
Therefore:
Hyperkalaemia: >5mmol/L
Hypokalaemia: <3.5mmol/L
As the pH rises , K+ is shifted intracellularly and the serum levels falls; conversely when serum pH decreases, intracellular K+ shits extracellularly into the vascular space and so the serum level increases. This is because H+ and K+ are both positive and it is important to have normal +ions levels in the serum to maintain a gradient across the cell membrane to maintain the excitability of nerve and muscle cells, including the myocardium.
Discussion